Principal Economist

• Leads high-impact research on labor markets, workforce transformation, skills, education, and the future of work.




• Owns Lightcast’s education and public sector research agenda while serving as a visible external representative across industry, academic, policy, government, and media forums.




• Translates complex labor market data into influential research, strategic insights, and compelling public narratives.




• Balances intellectual rigor, public influence, ecosystem leadership, and commercial impact.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in economics, labor economics, public policy, workforce development, education, or a related field preferred.




• Significant experience leading research related to labor markets, workforce development, economic mobility, skills, education, or the future of work.




• Demonstrated track record of publishing influential research and translating complex data into clear, actionable insights.




• Experience presenting at conferences, participating in public forums, engaging with media, and serving as a recognized subject matter expert.




• Strong relationships across government, education, workforce, research, policy, or economic development ecosystems.




• Experience advising policymakers, institutional leaders, executives, or partner organizations.




• Proven ability to develop strategic partnerships and collaborative research initiatives across sectors.




• Experience supporting business development, executive engagement, client strategy, or commercially relevant research preferred.




• Background in a leading research institution, university, think tank, government agency, workforce organization, economic mobility organization, or labor market data organization strongly preferred.




• Experience as a current or former fellow, scholar, senior researcher, policy leader, or practitioner focused on workforce development, labor economics, skills, education, or future-of-work issues preferred.




• Former White House, federal agency, state workforce policy, or similar public-sector leadership experience is highly valued.




• Strong written, verbal, presentation, executive communication, and stakeholder management skills.




• Ability to balance methodological rigor, public influence, relationship building, and commercial impact.




• Ability to travel approximately once per month, with additional travel for major research launches, speaking engagements, and strategic initiatives.




• Preference for candidates located in or near Washington, DC, due to the role’s policy, government, and ecosystem engagement responsibilities.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in labor market research, workforce development, and economic mobility, with a strong ability to translate complex data into actionable insights and influential narratives. Proven track record in building strategic partnerships and engaging with diverse stakeholders across government, education, and policy sectors.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Advanced Degree In Economics




• Labor Market Research




• Strategic Partnerships Development




• Public Speaking And Presentation Skills




• Stakeholder Management

Hard Skills

• Research Methodology




• Data Analysis




• Publishing Influential Research




• Translating Complex Data




• Workforce Development Expertise

Soft Skills

• Strong Written Communication




• Verbal Communication




• Relationship Building




• Intellectual Rigor




• Public Influence

Industry Keywords

• Labor Economics




• Economic Mobility




• Future Of Work




• Policy Engagement




• Education Ecosystem